Page 45 of Mysterious

My father smiles like he’s just heard the best news of his life. He puts his arm around my shoulders, hugging me to him, and says in my ear, “You deserve it. I always wanted to see you this happy. It’s been all your mother and I hoped for you.”

He looks over toward where Mia and my mother are standing, the two of them smiling like they’re the best of friends. “She fits in pretty well with this family, I’d say.”

I smile at his observation. “It’s all she’s ever wanted in life—a big family. I warned her to be careful what she asked for. This family can get to be a lot sometimes, but she loves the idea of all of you guys.”

“Just wait until the first time we all show up uninvited or it’s your turn to host the holidays. Then she’ll know the real truth of what a big family is like.”

I turn to look at him, curious about his mention of the holidays. “So are you, Cassian, and Stefan handing off the baton to the next generation when it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas? Have you told Cade, Cash, Alex, and Wilder yet?”

He shrugs, but I can tell he’s thought about it. “You’re all grown up now. It’s time for you boys to take over. I’m not sure how Stefan feels about that since you know he’s the king of Christmas, but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear Cassian say he’s willing to see the baton be passed on. And when you all start having kids of your own, it’ll be only right.”

Startled by his mention of any of us having children already, I hold my hand up to stop him from going any further with that discussion. “Whoa, Dad. What makes you think we’re having kids already? None of us are even married yet.”

In his typical Kane Jackson fashion, he levels his gaze on me and frowns. “Your mother and I weren’t married before we had your sister, Liam. People don’t have to be married to have children.”

The way he says that makes me sound like some out of touch, judgmental asshole, so I quickly answer, “I wasn’t saying that. All I was saying is I don’t think anyone’s planning on having kids yet.”

And a second later, across the porch I hear my mother squeal with utter joy. “Who’s having kids? Oh, that would be the best news ever!”

From out of nowhere, everyone stares at me like they expect to hear some huge secret I’ve been hiding. Shaking my head, I try to calm my mother, aunts, and grandmother, but it’s no use. They start talking about how they can’t wait to have grandchildren and great-grandchildren like it’s going to happen this afternoon.

Cade and Alex throw nasty glares in my direction, and Cash walks up to me looking like he wants to punch me in the face. “What exactly do you think you’re doing? It’s not bad enough they’re always asking when we’re all getting married? Now you throw having kids into the mix? What the hell were you thinking?”

Mia looks over at me helplessly as my mother and Olivia gush about how wonderful having kids is and I try to think of a way to put this genie back in the bottle. “Cash, don’t look at me. I didn’t mean that. My father was talking about passing the baton of the holidays to our generation and mentioned when we have kids. Nobody meant now.”

“Man, just for that, I’m going to make sure every time we’re all at one of these get-togethers that I ask when you and Mia are getting married. Brace yourself because your mother looks like she might go over the moon every time I bring it up.”

Cade hears him threaten me and chimes in with his own promise to make my life miserable from today on. “And if he doesn’t, I will. What did you say at the last family party? Payback’s a bitch. You better believe it.”

I look over toward Mia to see if she’s angry with me too since I doubt she’s thought about us having kids already, but she looks utterly content to listen to everyone talk about children and our big family growing. She gives me a tiny wave and beams a smile before turning back toward the people around her.

At least one member of the Jackson-March clan isn’t pissed at me.

A few minutes later, she rushes over to me and excitedly says, “Your mother, aunts, and grandmother are taking me inside to watch some video of you in a school play. They say it was the cutest thing and I have to see it. Oh, Liam, please tell me you don’t mind because by the way they’ve described it, it sounds wonderful!”

Beside me, my father says beneath his breath, “Sixth grade end-of-year play where you were the coach of the baseball team, and you had that huge speech you gave your players.”

Trying not to cringe at that memory, I force a smile and nod at her. “I don’t mind. Just don’t expect award winning acting.”

Mia throws her arms around my neck and kisses me on the lips. “I bet it’s going to be the cutest thing ever! Your grandmother mentioned she has pictures of you from when you were a little baby all the way up through high school too.”

I should have expected this today, but now that the women of my family have decided to break out all the Liam memorabilia, all I can do is shrug. “Try to remember the early teenage years can be rough on a kid.”

“You’re so humble. I bet you were the most handsome thirteen-year-old around.”

My cousins all break out into laughter behind me as my father snickers. Some family they are. Did I go laughing when Cade first brought Hailey around or when Cash brought Savannah here for the first time?

As Mia runs off, I turn around and throw them all dirty looks. “Can’t a guy catch a break with you people? It’s not bad enough she’s about to sit through that terrible play?”

Cade slaps me on the back and laughs. “Dude, I wouldn’t worry. She’s clearly not going to be swayed by Grandma’s school play video.”

From across the porch, Hailey calls out to him, “Honey, we’re all going inside to see the videos your grandmother has of all you guys. If you or Cash are looking for me or Savannah, just give us a yell, okay?”

Both my cousins’ expressions fall, and now it’s my turn to laugh. “Not so funny now, huh? Cade, remember you being a sad elf in that Christmas play in first grade? Grandma does. And Cash, I seem to recall you being a toothbrush in a third-grade school play for Dental Health Week. Good times, right?”

Now the only one laughing is Alex, but he shouldn’t count himself safe yet. “Laugh now, man, but wait until you bring someone here for the first time. It won’t be so funny then.”

Still enjoying our misery, Alex shakes his head and smiles. “First off, unlike the rest of you, I didn’t have any awkward years, so Grandma can show whatever she wants. But more importantly, I’m going to be single for as long as I can be, so you’ll be waiting a long time for this guy to be bringing any woman here. I think I’m going to head in and take a look at these videos. I need a good laugh.”

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